West Yorkshire Police
has teamed up with Trading Standards to offer advice on how to beat
rogue traders, and to help families and neighbours looking out for
vulnerable loved ones and members of their community.

The message - 'Not Sure? Don't Open the Door!' - is aimed at
potential victims, particularly vulnerable, elderly people, and
their families.

Police forces, Trading Standards and partner agencies across the
country are taking part in enforcement activity aimed at disrupting
criminals purporting to be legitimate traders in order to target
vulnerable householders.

It forms part of a joint operation between Operation Liberal -
the national intelligence unit tackling Cross Border Criminality
and supported by the National Police Chiefs Council - and trading
standards services.

Rogue trading is often linked to distraction burglary, whereby
an offender gains access to a property by distracting the
householder in order to steal valuables or cash.

Officers are offering advice on how to stay safe and have
provided common lines used by rogue traders in order to gain access
to your property. They may include -

"I was just up on your neighbour's roof and noticed that you had
a few tiles missing from yours…."

"It's a government scheme for one day only…."

"I will need some cash up front, I can drive you to the bank if
you like?"

"If you don't get the work done now, it'll cost you more later
on down the line…."

"Don't tell anyone how cheap we're doing this work for
you…."

Assistant Chief
Constable Angela Williams, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "Rogue
traders are criminals who take advantage of householders by using
high-pressure sales techniques. The work is often expensive,
sub-standard and not required at all.

"Raising awareness of the dangers posed by rogue traders is
particularly important as is following a few simple steps which can
greatly reduce your chance of being a victim of such criminals on
your own doorstep."

"We are asking residents to check the identity of the doorstep
caller by telephoning the company they are purporting to be from.
Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory and check
whether traders are members of the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme
or the Government Trust Mark Scheme.

"Discuss any work to be carried out with a relative or friend
who can help you find a reputable trader and never sign anything on
the spot, pay cash up front or go to a bank or cash point with a
trader.

"Lastly, if you suspect a rogue trader is at your door then call
999."

David Lodge, Head of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said:
"Rogue trading is the deliberate overcharging for unsatisfactory
goods or services, for example the charging of unnecessary work,
damaging property deliberately, leaving work unfinished and
intimidating behaviour in order to obtain money.

"We are continuing to target perpetrators who carry out these
crimes, and who deliberately target vulnerable people. We will
continue to seek prosecutions, as well as offering support to
victims and reduce repeat victimisation."

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire's Police and Crime
Commissioner, said: "This behaviour is absolutely despicable and we
must all do what we can to stop rogue traders.

"I recently helped fund a joint task force with West Yorkshire
Police, Trading Standards and adult social care with a focus on
investigating financial exploitation and abuse of vulnerable and
older victims. The team has been operational since October 2016 and
has already had some impressive results.

"I would also urge everyone to have a think about their
relatives and loved ones and pass these prevention messages on to
anyone they feel may be vulnerable to door step crime. For further
help and advice pleas

Students from Huddersfield University have also been coming up
with ideas on how to combat doorstep callers who aren't genuine
tradesmen or women.

The innovative designs will be unveiled at an official
presentation on campus on Friday, 12 May to a panel of judges made
up of partners from West Yorkshire Police, Victim Support, Age UK
and Trading Standards.

Professor Rachel Armitage, Director of Secure Societies
Institute at Huddersfield University, said: "As part of the
inter-disciplinary approach to developing innovative solutions to
security challenges, the Secure Societies Institute has been
working closely with the Product Design team within the School of
Art, Design and Architecture, to host an annual designing out crime
challenge.

"This year we decided to focus upon the crime problem of
Doorstep Crime. This is a real challenge for the Product Design
students as many are not aware of the devastating impact of this
crime.

"Bringing these partners together with this cross-School
approach to tackling crime through design is, in my view, both
innovative and extremely effective. If we can design products to
prevent Doorstep Crime, whilst informing these students of the
risks associated with this crime, we can make a real difference and
reduce the impact upon potential victims".

Video footage and images of the day will be available after the
event. And next week we will be hearing from an 86-year-old Leeds
woman who was targeted by rogue traders in her own home.

You can find safety messages and advice on this year's campaign
on social media by following #roguetrader17. Further information is
also available on the West Yorkshire Police website here.

If you have any information on rogue traders in your area,
please call police on 999 in an emergency or 101. Information can
also be passed to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555
111.